Clarifying shampoo is tricky. Some are great; others are either too strong or too gentle. Formulated specifically to remove build-up, refresh your scalp, and leave your hair feeling light and clean, they don't all perform the same, so it can be hard to figure out which is best for your hair.

Two of the most popular options are the Ouai Detox Shampoo and Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo. One is the bestseller, the other has higher reviews, but which is actually better?

I’ve tried both on my fine, highlighted hair and also recruited my mom (thick, wiry grey, long hair) and boyfriend (short, medium hair, no conditioner) to see how each shampoo performs on a variety of hair types. We’ve tested each shampoo in a few different ways: product build-up, chlorine and ocean water, environmental pollutants after a day in Vegas, and after traveling with hard water exposure.

Below, I’m taking our hard-earned advice and sharing exactly how these shampoos compare in regards to cleansing power, maintaining hair health, and price. I share which is better for damaged hair, which provides the better cleanse, and who I’d recommend each shampoo to.

Want more information on clarifying shampoo? Check out my guides on How to Use Clarifying Shampoo or How to Fix Product Build-Up.

ouai detox shampoo vs davines solu shampoo: which clarifying shampoo is better?

ouai detox shampoo: quick review

I’ve previously shared a more detailed review of the Ouai Detox Shampoo, but for a quick recap, I love it. The Ouai Detox Shampoo effectively removes product, mineral, and hard water build-up without stripping your hair or irritating your scalp. It doesn’t tangle my fine hair like other clarifying shampoos do, and I’m surprised at how well it works for all hair types. My mom (thick, coarse grey hair) and boyfriend (medium, short hair that skips conditioner) also use this shampoo and cannot get enough of it, so it really does work for everyone.

A little goes a long way, and while I don’t personally love the fragrance, it’s still worth it and I’ve repurchased numerous times over the years.

pros

For all hair types
Safe for color-treated hair
Gives your hair and scalp a deep clean without stripping your hair
Makes your hair feel clean and fresh
Adds shine
Removes heavy product build-up
Lightweight yet strong formula; a little goes a long way
Sulfate-free

cons

Not my favorite scent (floral with hints of apple cider vinegar, but not overpowering)
Can cause tangles if you don’t follow-up with a hydrating conditioner
Not for daily use (use once a week or every other week)
Can feel stripping if overused

how often to use it

Ouai Detox Shampoo has a stronger formula, so it’s best to use it once a week at most. Scale back to every other week (or less) if you have dry hair, a sensitive scalp, or are more prone to breakage.

davines solu clarifying shampoo: quick review

Put simply, Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo is luxurious yet it also works. It’s more expensive than I’d like to spend on a shampoo, but when it comes to clarifying shampoo, if you struggle with damage or breakage, it’s absolutely worth it. Solu gives you a gentle yet effective cleanse; my hair feels softer and balanced whenever I use it. I like that i can pair it with any conditioner or mask afterwards; typically I need to use something ultra-hydrating after a clarifying shampoo, but Solu isn’t drying. Those with thick hair or lots of build-up might not find it to be strong enough; the brand suggests doing a second cleanse, but that’s where things lean into the “too expensive/ too much fuss” territory.

I go into more detail about when you might need that second cleanse (and if it’s worth it) in my Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo Review.

pros

Gentle formula that is safe for all hair types
Color-safe
Does not dry out hair or strip natural oils of the scalp
Best if you want a gentle clarifying shampoo or have minimal product build-up
Makes your hair feel clean but not stripped
Adds shine and softness
Lathers easily

cons

Not the strongest formula, especially if you have heavy product build-up or hard water residue
May require a double-cleanse if you have extra-oily hair
Expensive ($38)

how often to use it

The Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo is a gentle formula, so you can use it 1-2x a week.

ouai detox vs davines solu shampoo: which is better?

One isn’t 100% better than the other; they have different formulas and serve different hair types. You do not need both in your haircare routine, though.

The biggest difference between the Dae and Ouai clarifying shampoos is the cleansing power.

Ouai Detox Shampoo is the deep clean that addresses everything - an oily scalp, product build-up, hard water build-up, and the residues that can be left behind after swimming in a chlorine pool or the ocean. It has a stronger clarifying effect, and leaves your hair feeling very light and your scalp refreshed. Get the Ouai Detox Shampoo instead of Solu if your hair gets greasy easily or you use a lot of styling products, especially heavier ones like dry shampoo.

Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo is mild. It’s best for fine or dry hair that needs a gentle refresh, especially if you don’t use a ton of styling products in your haircare routine.

Another factor to consider is how often your wash your hair. If you wait as long as possible between washes, you’ll probably prefer Ouai’s stronger formula.

price

Ouai Detox Shampoo costs $34 for a 10oz bottle; Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo is priced at $38 for an 8.5oz bottle, so Ouai is the cheaper product up-front.

I love a good price breakdown, though, so let’s go further. Looking at price per ounce, Ouai Detox Shampoo is also cheaper ($3.4 per ounce vs $4.47).

Now considering usage, you need less of Ouai Detox than Davines Solu because it’s a stronger formula. Davines also suggests doing a “lather, rinse, repeat” if you have excess build-up, so you could end up using twice as much in one wash.

If you have normal to oily hair and deal with normal to lots of build-up, get Ouai Detox Shampoo. It’s cheaper, you can always use it less often if you find it to be too strong for your normal hair, and that will help you save money.

If you have extremely fragile, dry, or brittle hair (especially platinum blondes), get Solu. Hair health is something that takes time; you can’t magicially fix it. Spending more on a gentler formula is worth it if you are struggling with split ends and breakage. As someone who has been there, don’t cut the corner on dryness when you are in a repair stage with your hair.

ingredients

Both are clarifying shampoos, but there are three key ingredients to focus on:

Ouai Detox Shampoo contains apple cider vinegar, a known clarifying ingredient, as well as chelating ingredients that do a better job of removing hard water mineral build-up. On the other hand, Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo’s star ingredient is regenerative organic certified buckwheat extract, which is what prevents your hair from feeling stripped. It locks in moisture and shields hair from dryness, so Solu is the way to go if you find most clarifying shampoos make your hair feel dry like straw.

As far as similarities go, both formulas are sulfate-free and lather well. Both also contain fragrance, though I recommend getting Solu if you are sensitive to fragrance as it is much more mild than Ouai’s.

how your hair feels after

Both of these clarifying shampoos make your hair feel clean and refreshed after using them. That said, there are subtle differences that will make one better than the other for your hair type.

Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo makes your hair soft and lightweight; it feels clean but still hydrated. The shine is more subtle than what you get with Ouai. I’d say Solu is a step stronger than regular shampoo as far as cleansing power, not a giant leap. You could accidentally use Solu two days in a row and not torch your hair, whereas my hair would need an oil and 15-minute mask if I did that with Ouai’s.

Ouai Detox Shampoo is a traditional clarifying shampoo. Your hair feels lightweight, shiny, and super clean, but not stripped. If you overuse it, though, your hair may feel a little dry. If your hair feels heavy or grimy, you’ll get an actual reset and more noticeable results with Ouai versus Davines.

which is better for your hair type?

While they are both clarifying shampoos, they serve different purposes and thus meet different needs. Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo is best for mild build-up and a gentle refresh, whereas Ouai Detox Shampoo is a total reset for your hair and scalp.

Choose Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo if you:

Have dry or color-treated hair that is prone to breakage
Fine hair that needs a reset but is prone to dryness
Have mild build-up
Use minimal styling products

It’s best if you want a gentle formula that you can use more often.

Choose Ouai Detox Shampoo if you have:

An oily scalp
Heavy product build-up (especially if you use dry shampoo or heavy styling products regularly)
Hard water exposure

I prefer using Ouai Detox Shampoo when I want a good scalp/ hair reset, like after traveling.

Put simply, if your hair feels dry, go with Solu. If your hair feels heavy, greasy or, coated, stick with Ouai.

ouai detox vs davines solu shampoo faq

is ouai or davines better for fine hair?

This depends. If you have mild build-up, Davines Solu Clarifying Shampoo is great. If your hair feels heavy or is easily weighed down with more oil at your scalp, the Ouai Detox Shampoo does a better job of removing that.

It’s also worth it to consider how often you want to use a clarifying shampoo. I have fine hair, and prefer using Ouai every other week, but if you want a clarifying shampoo you can use weekly, Solu is gentle enough for more frequent use.

which is more drying?

The Ouai Detox Shampoo is more drying when compared to Solu, but overall I would not consider it to be a super-drying formula.

which removes build-up better?

The Ouai Detox Shampoo removes build-up better.

can you use ouai detox shampoo every week?

Yes, but not more than that, especially if your hair is dry. It is a stronger formula, so unless you are using a ton of heavy styling products (like lots of dry shampoo plus hairspray), once a week is plenty.